Home Football Cody Gakpo Received ‘Clear Sign’ from God to Reject Liverpool’s Rivals After Failed Man Utd Move

Cody Gakpo Received ‘Clear Sign’ from God to Reject Liverpool’s Rivals After Failed Man Utd Move

Football — 06/06/2024

Gakpo Reveals Divine Decision-Making in Choosing Liverpool Over Premier League Rivals

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has opened up about his decision to turn down two Premier League clubs before joining the Reds, sharing that he left his future in the hands of God.

Cody Gakpo reveals quirk of fate which stopped him from joining one of Liverpool's PL rivals - The Empire of The Kop

Gakpo made his move to Anfield in January 2023 for $45 million (£35 million/€41 million) from PSV Eindhoven. Since then, he has netted 22 goals for Liverpool, including two crucial strikes in the season’s final three matches. Liverpool had previously attempted to bring him to England without success.

In an interview with Sky Sports earlier this year, Gakpo revealed he had discussions with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag about a potential move to Old Trafford in 2022, but the deal fell through. According to ESPN Netherlands, the failure was due to United’s inability to meet PSV’s valuation because of Financial Fair Play (FFP) guidelines. Gakpo has now disclosed that he was also a target for Leeds United and Southampton that summer.

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo reveals key moment that persuaded him to opt against Leeds United move

Faced with a tough decision, Gakpo sought divine guidance. “You have a difficult decision to make, and then you go to prayer to talk to God and ask for wisdom. I got that,” he explained. “People might think I’m strange. I could go to Southampton, Leeds came into the race, and PSV wanted me to stay. I presented the three options I had to God.”

Gakpo based his decision on his performance against FC Volendam in August 2022. “If I scored once, I would go to Southampton. If I scored twice, I would go to Leeds, and if I scored three, I would stay at PSV. I couldn’t have got a clearer sign,” he revealed.

The 25-year-old scored a hat-trick in that match, though he had to wait for confirmation after one goal deflected off an opposition defender. Leeds had even arranged a private jet to bring Gakpo to England, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, but left empty-handed.

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Gakpo remained with PSV until the January transfer window, scoring nine goals in 14 matches before Liverpool came calling. Leeds and Southampton, who missed out on Gakpo, were eventually relegated from the Premier League after poor seasons. Ironically, Gakpo scored against both sides: a 6-1 win at Elland Road in April and a 4-4 draw with Southampton on the final day.

Gakpo’s journey to Liverpool, guided by faith and a remarkable hat-trick, underscores the twists of fate in football transfers.